The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-03-25
HIS SPEECH AT NASHVILLE
HE THANKS GOD THAT THE WAR
IS NOW OVER.
But Still Harps on the String OF
Southern Oppression.


NASHVILLE, TENN, March 24.-Sena-
tor Sherman, who arrived in this city
Wednesday night, has spent to-day in
visiting places of interest in and around
the city. under the guidance and escort
of q committee of citizens. Tonight he
delivered his expected speech in the
Capitol in the presence Of a large audi
ence, composed of members Of both
political parties.
SENATOR sHERMAN's SPEECH.
FELLOW CITIzENs-I accepted the in
vitation of the Republican members of
the Legislature of Tennessee to address
them on this occasion, not 50 much with
the hope that could encourage them by
an expression of the hearty sympathy of
Republicans of the United States i'm their
gallant struggle for Republican princi-
pies As from the belief that entertain
that fair presentation made to the peo-
pie of Tennessee, without distinction of
party, of the :aims and principles
Of our party, both in the past and
the far future, might induce them
policy that will contribute to
interests Of the people of Tennessee and
Of the whole country, more and greater
benefits and advantages than can possi-
bly, be conferred upon them by the Demo
cratic party.
II have felt that the differences that
grew out of the war now hold a large
body OF honest and patriotic citizens of
the South from cooperating with the Re
publican party. who. in my Judgment,
are now in sympathy with US; that, per-
haps, might be able to dissipate these
prejudices by frank statement of the
views which have actuated the Republi-
can party in the past, and thus bring US
into cooperation in the measures tending
to advance the common interest and
prosperity of our country. At all events,
feel confident that the people of Ten
nessee, who, from the very earliest set
tlement, have been distinguished for
their courage and Independence, will
give the stranger among them a fair
hearing for his honest opinions"
Mr.. Sherman then related that in his
earlier political life he had been a dis
ciple of that school of politics of which
Henry Clay and John Bell were the
leading apostles, but that he had been
driven into the Republican party by the
repeal of the Missouri Compromise. THE
people Of the South" said Mr.. Sherman,
''have never appreciated the deep. strong
impression made upon conservative men
in the North by this most fatal an Dol
ish measure. We regarded it not only as
breach of personal faith, but as a
threatened subversion of the Constitu-
tion in making slavery a national insti-
tuition, and as tending to subvert the
Union, and now, after lapse of more
than thirty years, l still regard it as
nothing less than a crime, and. therefore,
i, with the great mass of the Northern
Wings and Democrats, as a patriotic
duty, resolved that, so far as / could,
would secure to Kansas and Nebraska
free institutions, and thus restore the
sfdfu quo. This WAS done, as thought,
by the election Of Abraham Lincoln.
Had this election been acquiesced in,
the South now knows how mild, forbear-
ing and conservative would have been
his policy, for, Of all public men have
met, he, more than any other, combined
the loving kindness Of woman, with
the moderation and wise forethought Of
the statesman. He could truly say that
he would have charity for all and
malice toward none
On all this preliminary struggle. the ma
jority Of the people of Tennessee stood
neutral in the sectional contest. They
ton and the enforcement of the laws
They voted for Bell and Everett on this
broad National platform, and if am
not mistakenin current history, they were
unwillingly drawn by Democratic pol
iticians into the fratricidal contest But
when in it, they did their duty manfuL
ly, each man according tn his convic-
tiOns Of duty.
THE WAR Ii OVER.
Your pDple divided On opposite lines
and have more than your share of the
terrible losses and sacrifices of the war.
1t 10 over, thank God, but the courage,
bravery and fortitude of both sides are
now the pride and heritage Of us all.
Think not that | come here to reproach
any man for the part he took in that
fight. or to revive in the heart of any
one the triumph of victory or the pangs
Of defeat. ITO not come to- make apol-
ogies, nor do ] ask any Of you The war
was, perhaps, unavoidable-bound to
the better. All that claim is that the
Republican party was actuated. not by
the spirit Of hate or conquest or re-
venge, but only by the fervent love of
the Union, and the determined purpose
TO maintain the Constitution as they un-
derstood it. No man in the North ques-
tons the honesty of purpose or heroism
with which the Confederates main
tanned their cause, and you will give
credit for like courage and honorable mo-
tives to Union soldiers, North and South
THE RESULTS OF THE WAR
When the war was over the people of
the North hsartily approved OF the gen.
erous terms granted by General Grant to
General Led and the Confederate troops,
and wished that the people Of the South
should be restored to all their rights and
privileges, subject only to such condi-
lions - honor and good faith seemed to
demand. arising out OF the proclama-